George Clooney could testify at the trial of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is appearing in court on charges of having sex with an underage girl.
It appears that Hollywood actor Clooney is mystified as to what he will be adding to the trial, saying: “It seems odd since I’ve only met Berlusconi once and that was in an attempt to get aid to Darfur.”
Berlusconi’s lawyers has named Clooney on a list of 78 witnesses. The actor’s Italian girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis, two female Italian cabinet ministers and footballer Cristaino Ronaldo were also cited.
Silvio Berlusconi’s ‘bunga bunga’ parties investigated
‘Ruby’ strips for underwear advert
Berlusconi, 74, is accused of having paid for sex with Moroccan bellydancer Karima el-Mahroug, who is known as ‘Ruby’ and was 17 at the time. The Italian PM then apparently used his influence to try to cover it up.
Clooney has been named as a witness because ‘Ruby’ once said she had seen him and Canalis at one of Berlusconi’s ‘bunga bunga’ parties, said the law firm representing Berlusconi.
George Clooney’s girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis, has denied attneding one of Berlusconi’s ‘bunga bunga’ parties.
“We want to see if they confirm this fact or not,” said attorney Piersilvio Cipollotti.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Canalis has denied that she and Clooney had attended any of Berlusconi’s parties.
There are two very different accounts of the parties given by Berlusconi. The premier’s lawyers have described them as “elegant” affairs with food and musical recitals.
Prosecutors, however, allege the premier’s parties involved sex orgies and prostitutes.
As well as George Clooney, Berlusconi’s defence has called Equal Opportunities Minister Mara Carfagna and Education Minister Maria Stella Gelmini to testify that the dinner parties were civilised events rather than the debauched sex orgies they have been depicted as.
Berlusconi’s trial begins April 6.